Pak agencies tested to limits by terrorism: Gilani

Islamabad: Pakistan`s intelligence and security agencies have been "tested to the limits" by terrorism, which needs to be addressed in a comprehensive manner by tackling underlying factors like funding, weapon supplies and organisational support, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said on Wednesday.

Gilani made the remarks while chairing a meeting of the
Defence Committee of the Cabinet.

The meeting was attended by federal ministers, the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Chairman and the three service chiefs.

Authorities need to clearly identify the threat posed by terrorism, including underlying factors such as ideology and motivation, funding, weapon supplies, training, organisational support for terrorist groups and those aiding and abetting terrorists, Gilani said.

"Our intelligence and security agencies have been tested to the limits," he added.

Pakistan was "passing through a difficult period" and issues related to the criminal justice system and terrorism, particularly suicide attacks, had seriously affected the citizens, he said.

Both criminal justice and terrorism need to be addressed effectively in a comprehensive manner, he said.

Consultations, cooperation and coordination between all arms of the government, most notably the intelligence agencies and law enforcing bodies, is a prerequisite for ensuring national security, Gilani told the gathering.

The government wants all institutions to play their role effectively and with a high degree of coordination to safeguard and promote national interests, he added.

The Interior Ministry gave a presentation on internal security situation.

The Committee discussed all aspects of the law and order situation and noted that "special and immediate action was required, employing all stringent security measures to combat militancy and extremism", said an official statement issued after the meeting.

The Committee decided that special attention would be given to the "de-radicalisation programme to motivate youth to engage and isolate them from militancy and terrorism".

Gilani informed the Committee that he has asked the Balochistan government to bring the Baloch leadership into the mainstream of national politics.

The Committee decided to establish a National Crime Database at the centre and the Interior Ministry was directed to make it functional on an urgent basis.